Gilmer AD/Head Football Coach Jeff Traylor has accepted the job as the tight ends/special teams coordinator at the University of Texas. Longhorns head coach Charlie Strong announced on Friday.

The 46-year old Traylor told David Smoak, "To have the opportunity to join Coach Strong at The University of Texas was one I just couldn’t pass up. I have had chances to enter the college ranks before but this time it was just too good of an opportunity. I really believe in what Coach Strong stands for and I want to go help anyway I can." Traylor continued, "I believe Coach Strong will return Texas to national prominence and I would like to be a part of that."

Traylor's departure ends an unprecedented fifteen year run at his alma mater that includes an overall record of 175-26 and three state championships, including the Class 4-A, Division II state championship in 2014, "Any time there is change there will always be some anxiety. Gilmer, Texas is my home and I've lived in East Texas throughout my life, my entire family is from around here," Traylor added, "this is the most difficult decision I've ever made, Gilmer has been nothing but wonderful to my family throughout the fifteen years with the Buckeyes."

Strong, entering his second year at the University of Texas, wanted to interview a handful of Texas High School Football Coaches to replace Bruce Chambers as the Longhorns tight ends/special teams coordinator. Chambers remained on the Texas staff after Mack Brown's resignation, but who was fired following the 2014 football season.

When asked about being contacted by Strong, Traylor told Smoak, "Despite what some media outlets were reporting, I wasn't offered the job by Coach Strong until Wednesday. I've always said I don't have a decision to make until someone actually offers me a job," Traylor continued, "It didn't become real serious until he offered me the job on Wednesday, when he did that everything became very real at that exact moment."

Traylor started his coaching career as an assistant at Big Sandy High School before joining Danny Long's staff at Jacksonville High. He took over as the AD/Head Football Coach at Gilmer in 2000.

Traylor, who is a graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University, is married to his wife Cari, and they have three children, Jordan, who is a senior at Texas A&M, Jake, who is currently a junior at Gilmer and their daughter Jaci, a freshman at Gilmer.